Decorative button



Aug. 23, 1938. A, H, LEVY 2,28,095

DECORATIVE BUTTON Filed Nov. 23, 1934 Patented Aug. 23, 1938 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE DECORATIVE BUTTON A. Hoyt Levy, Brooklyn, N. Y.'

' Application November 23, 1934, Serial No. 754,392

s claims. Ici. 41-34) This invention relates to buttons andparticularly, to buttons made in more than one color.

In-the manufactureheretofore of buttons of more than a single color, ithas been customary to paint each button with colors to match the colorsof the article of apparel to whichthe button is to be secured. It hastherefore been necessary for the button manufacturer or merchant to makeor stock a large assortment of buttons of different color combinationsto meet the requirements of the trade.

' My inventionv contemplates the provision of a two-part button whereinthe main base part is made of one color and is adapted to receive anyselected one of a large number of inserts of different colors, shapesand designs so thatwith a limited number of bases, a large variety ofcolor and design combinations may be made up at or before the time thebutton is to be used.

My invention further contemplates the provision of a button molded froma synthetic resin composition such as Bakelite and adapted to receiveany one of a variety of similarly molded center inserts having differentdesigns and different colors to match any particular garment, and whichinserts are designed to be quickly and easily secured in place.

The various objects of my invention will be clear from the descriptionwhich follows, and from the drawing, in which.

Fig. 1 is a vertical section of one form of my new button, wherein theinsert is snapped into the base.

Fig. 2 is a similar view of a modied form of the same, wherein the baseis first secured to the article of apparel and the insert is laterassembled to the base.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of my new button showing the insert molded ina typical design.

Fig. 4 is a similarv view showing another form of design for the insert.

In the practical embodimentsA of my invention which I have illustratedby way of example, I prefer to provide a base of one color and an insertof a different color designed to be rapidly and easily assembled withthe base, it being understood that a number of inserts may be providedof different colors and designs and so formed as to fit the base withwhich the insert is to be assembled.

As shown, for example, in Fig. 1, the base III is preferably made of asuitable synthetic resin composition such as Bakelite or the likepreferably of a solid color. It may also be made, if desired, of coloredcelluloid, metal or other suitable inateriai. In the form shown, thebase is provided with a comparatively'thin annular flange portion 9surrounding the projecting socket .portion Il. The recess Il in thesocket portion is formed with an inwardly projecting head I2 adjacentthe rim of the recess. The innermost diameter of the bead is slightlyless than the diameter of the recess near its bottom as at I3. Thesocket portion M extends from the under face I 5 of the base andterminates in the attaching lug i6. Said lug is provided with theopening I1 through which the thread I8 may be passed when the button issewed onto the article of apparel I9.

'I'he insert 20 is preferably made of synthetic resin such as Bakeliteor other suitable material and is provided with a flange or head 2Imolded or otherwise formed in any suitable design. The stud part 22extends from the head and has` a constricted neck 23. It will beunderstood that thebase I0 is made sufficiently thin so that it willyield to' a slight extent to permit the head 2i to be forced past thebead I2 of the socket in the base. Due to the inherent resiliency of thebase, the bead I2 snaps into `the neck 23 of the stud part of the insertafter the stud head has' been forced therepast. The extent of thedifference in the diameters of the bead I2 and the socketbottom I3depends largely `on the resiliency of the material used for the base'and on the thickness thereof and as will be obvious, may be such as topermit the stud of the insert to be forcibly snapped into the socket butmaking it diilicult to then separate the insert from the base.

It will be understood that the insert may be made in one color,designated in the drawing by the legend Color A while the base may bemade of a different color designated Color B. It will further beunderstood that a large number of inserts may be made of differentcolors and provided with studs adapted to 'enter the socket. When theuser desires to match buttons to a garment, he selects a base of theproper color and then selects inserts of the proper color to match thebase and the garment and assembles the parts by merely forcing theinsert into the socket of the base. The button may then be readily sewedto the garment by sewing through the opening I'I, as will be obvious.After the insert and the base have been thus assembled, the insert isretained in its position in the base since it cannot be separatedtherefrom except by the use of considerable force.

In that form of my invention shown in Fig. 2, the lug I6 is omitted andinstead thereof, the sewing holes 25 and 2i are made through thethickness of the socket I4. In this case, the base I0 is rsewed to thearticle I0 through the holes 25, 2| before the insert 20 is insertedinto the recess II.

As indicated in Figs. 3 and 4, the inserts may be made in a variety ofdesigns of different sizes, shapes and colors. A number of bases beingprovided of standard or common colors, a selection may be made from aconsiderable variety of inserts to give the proper combination of colorsand designed to match the particular garment to which the completedbutton is to be secured. It therefore becomes unnecessary to carry alarge number or variety oi.' button bases in stock, and it furtherbecomes possible with a small number of inserts, to create a largenumber of buttons having different color combinations, whereby the rangeof button designs and colors is greatly increased with a lesser numberof completed buttons than has heretofore been possible.

It will be seen that I have provided a simple and eilcient multi-colorbutton of two parts designed to be easily and rapidly secured togetherand made of standard or interchangeable form whereby a desired colorcombination in the button can be inexpensivelysecured, and the matchingof button colors to an article of apparel becomes easy. It will furtherbe seen that I have provided a button well adapted to meet the severerequirements of practical use. l

While I have shown and described certain specic embodiments of myinvention, I do not desire to be understood as limiting myself thereito, but intend to claim my invention as broadly as may be permitted bythe state of the prior art and the terms of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. In a button, a molded non-n'ietallic` one-A piece and slightlyyieldable base having a comparatively thin ilange and having a centralrecess therein, said recess being provided with an inwardly projectingbead adjacent the outer face of the base, and a one-piece non-metallicmolded insert having a head and having a stud provided with a neck ofsubstantially the internal diameter of the bead whereby the studisadapted to be forcibly snapped into the recess to hold said base andinsert together against separation, and a lateral projection `on thebase provided with a sewing hole.

2. In a button, a molded, non-metallic, onepiece, slightly yieldablebase provided with a socket opening constricted to form a bead near theentrance to the socket. and a molded onepiece, non-metallic insertprovided with a stud similarly constricted to engage the bead andadapted to be forced into the socket, the walls of said socket and studbeing smooth and uninterrupted, said base being provided with a sewinghole.

3. In a button, a one-piece molded base provided with a socket openingconstricted to form a bead, and a one-piece molded insert provided witha stud similarly constricted to engage the bead and adapted to be forcedinto the socket for permanent connection thereto, said base beingprovided with a. laterally extending projection having a. sewing holetherein.

4. In a button consisting solely of two members, a flanged one-piecemolded base member provided with a recess, the wall of said recesshaving an inwardly projecting portion thereon, and a second'one-piecemolded insert member, said insert member having a head larger than andclosing said recess and adapted to rest on the ange of the base memberand having a shank of less diameter than the head projecting therefromand having a constricted portion adapted to receive the inwardlyextending portion of the recess, one of said members being provided witha sewing hole therein accessible from that side of the button oppositethe head.

5. In a button consisting solely of two members, a molded non-metallicone-piece base member having a comparatively thin flange and hav- 4ing acentral recess therein, said recess being provided with an inwardlyprojecting bead adjacent the outer face of the base member, and aonepiece non-metallic molded insert member having a head and having astud provided with aneck of substantially the internal diameter of thebead, and an integral lateral projection on one of said members providedwith a sewing hole.

6. In a button consisting solely of two members, a one-piece molded basemember provided with a socket opening constricted to form a, bead, and aone-piece insert member provided with a Astud similarly constricted toengage the bead, one of said members being provided with a laterallyextending projection having a sewing hole therein.

A. HOYT LEVY.

